Page 79 of Cruel Crown

The people who were blocking our paths moved to the side, allowing us to go through.

Paco was front and center, his face red, and he was screaming at Damian. Damian stood there looking at him with a bored expression. Daphne turned to look at me, and then she turned to look at Bastian, who was across the field.

“That,” Paco said as he pointed his finger at my woman, “fucking whore killed my cousin, and you didn’t do shit.”

Damian didn’t bother to look at Daphne. I, on the other hand, had to remain impassive even though I was imagining snapping his neck.

Daphne took a step forward, and I was about to reach for her and pull her back, but she hissed, “No.”

“If you want to take your anger out on anyone, take it out on me,” she said with a tilt of her chin.

Damian glared at her, annoyed that she was getting in his way. He wanted to fight Paco, he wanted a duel, and if Paco decided to fight Daphne, there was a chance she could get seriously hurt.

That thought alone made my chest constrict and ache.

Paco smiled. “I will, bitch, but right after I kill him.” He turned to Damian, who, upon hearing the impending challenge, smiled.

“Do you want my throne?” He put the hands in the pocket of his trousers and stepped forward. “Do you think you can be a better leader than me?”

Paco scoffed. The arrogance on him was about to be his downfall. He was blinded by greed and revenge. He couldn’t see the trap he had walked into.

“For one, I wouldn’t let that bitch get away with killing one of our own. Your love for her blinds you.”

Damian’s eyes slid from Paco’s to Daphne. Both of them looked at each other, and love was the furthest thing between both of them.

“She’s under my care because her father left her to me.”

Daphne flinched. My blood started to boil, a low simmer that if it erupted would force this place to flood.

“Fine, I accept. You kill me, then you not only deserve to be a king, but you get to pick and choose who stays and who goes.”

“Don’t do this. You’re walking into a—”

“Shut the fuck up.” Paco glared at Daphne. He then turned to Damian. “I challenge you to a duel.”

“Catacombs in one hour,” Damian said as he started to walk away. He had the outcome he wanted, but the question was, why?

Everyone else started to walk back inside—some with triumph on their faces, others with dread. Like with all nations, kingdoms, and democracies, the people became scared when the leadership was questioned.

Daphne walked fast, and I followed behind her, everyone too engrossed in their misery to notice we were now together. She descended to her chambers, and I was hot on her heels.

“Talk to me, Petal,” I said as I closed the door.

“Something is happening, and I can’t see what it is.” She threw the first thing she could get her hands on across the room.

“Easy there, love,” I said as I stood behind her and removed her jacket. “It will all be fine. You think I’d let anyone hurt you?”

“I can take care of myself,” she lashed out as she pulled away from me. Then she turned around and looked at me almost like an afterthought. “Thanks for the offer though.”

I grinned at her because—fuck, she was cute as hell.

“What does Damian gain from killing Paco?” She was pacing, and I removed my outside clothes as well.

“One less annoying mouth to feed?”

She gave me a dirty look, then stopped when I started taking off my clothes. I needed a fucking shower.

“You thirsty there, love?” I raised a brow at her. I expected her to glare at me, but instead, she started taking off her clothes.

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